Belt clasp



June. 24, 1930- R. w. JOHNSON BELTYCLASP Filed Dec. 8, 1928 I I I n v gwuehtoa I dam/u,

Fatented June 24, 1930 UNHD ST'lES PATENT OFFlCE- ROBERT W. JOHNSON, OF NEW BRUNSWICK, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO JOHNSON & JOHNSON, OF NEW BRUNSWICK, NEW JERSEY A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY BELT CLASP Application filed. December 8, 1928.

My invention is an improvement in clasps of the type disclosed in Letters Patent No. 1,498,624, granted to E. M. Gruen.

In that type of clasp a runner cooperates with an open slotted element to secure or release the napkin, and a spring bar struck up from the element is relied upon to hold the runner in either of its adjusted positions. That construction and arrangement suffers 1 the disadvantage that the spring is floated remote from the runner and is exposed to casual depression so that its locking hump or ridge is an inefficient or non-positive detent for the runner.

The object of the invention is to overcome that disadvantage without sacrificing the advantages of the Gruen clasp.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof,

wherein carried clasp element 5 having a side opening slot 6 designed to receive the napkin; and a runner 7 slidably mounted on the element 5, to open or close the mouth of the slot. Departing from the Gruen practice, I form the runner with a closed back wall 8, which in the closed position of the clasp abuts against a bar carried by the fixed clasp element and thereby is restrained in positive manner against opening movement. The cletent, generally designated at 9, is a flat bar springing from the belt end of element 5 from which it is offset, as at 10, so that it lies wholly in a plane above the body 5, and normally J always is in the path of the runner which is Serial No. 324,667.

over the offset 10, which is effective to hold the runner in open position.

Havlng described my invention, I claim:

A clasp comprising a carrier having a side opening slot, 9. runner mounted thereon for longitudinal movement to open and close the slot, and means for insuring positive retention of the runner in its closing position, said means embodying a tongue struck up from the carrier in offset relation so that its free end normally occupies a plane beyond the carrier and such that it will engage the runner and prevent accidental opening movement thereof, said tongue having a smooth surface so that when manually depressed the runner is free to glide over it to engage thepoint of offset thereby to be held in open position.

. In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

ROBERT W. J OHNSON 

